BOWEL AND BLADDER NORMS
We are living in an exciting time filled with so much information at our fingertips. But it can be overwhelming to filter through and understand how we can benefit from these resources. One thing that often gets overlooked when discussing our well-being is the health of our bladder and bowels. What does it mean to have a healthy bowel? A healthy bladder? What are the normative values of a healthy bathroom schedule? Let’s discuss when it may be time to dig deeper into our daily routines and when to seek help if things aren’t going according to schedule.
When it comes to our bladder, things we want to think about may include; how often we are voiding during the day and overnight, the length of each void, the colour of our urine, the urine stream quality, the ease of urination, any bladder leakage or urgency, as well as habitual acts that may be impeding our bladder health. A typical healthy bladder should be free from any form of bladder leakage or incontinence, whether that be from coughing, sneezing, physical activity or movement of any sort, or an urgency so strong you are unable to make it to a bathroom on time. All forms of bladder leakage are classified as incontinence, whether it is one drop or a complete emptying of the bladder.
Let’s look at some of our bladder norms:
Daytime voiding: 5-8 times (2-4 hours in between, trying to avoid those “just in case” pees because you are leaving the house, or a bathroom is convenient at that moment)
Nighttime voiding: 0-1 times (It should mostly be 0, but there are a few exceptions to the rule, such as after the age of 55, pregnancy or underlying health issues including use of pharmaceuticals)
Duration of void: 8-16 seconds in length
Volume of void: 6-8 oz
Colour: light yellow (if you are noticing a strong odor or dark coloured urine, you likely need to hydrate! Be mindful of any supplements or dietary changes you have made as those also may affect your urine color too!
Emptying your bladder should be easy! We want our stream to be strong, continuous, and straight, free from pushing or straining, and free from pain or burning of any sort. It should also feel as though you are able to fully empty your bladder during each urination.
Bowels are another important part of health, and our bowel habits can also have an impact on our bladder, including bladder leakage. With bowels, it is important to note how often we are having a bowel movement, the consistency of the stool with each bowel movement, bowel incontinence of any sort, and the ease with which bowel movements happen. Let’s look at some of our bowel norms:
Frequency: It is considered normal to have a bowel movement 3 times a day- once every 3 days (although we would argue if you aren’t emptying every day, there are probably things that could be changed to help that!)
Stool Consistency: should be a #4 on the Bristol Stool Chart (like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft)
Incontinence: this is classified as any form of bowel leakage, excessive wiping to get clean, or smearing in underwear.
Ease of bowel movements: they should feel easy! We want to be able to breathe bowel movements out, and not strain, push or force them out (in the bathroom for less than 5 minutes).
How do your bladder and bowel habits measure up? If any of your norms do not match up with the list above or you are struggling to control your bladder and bowel routine, make sure to connect with a pelvic floor trained physiotherapist to get you back on track!
References
Faghani, Britnell (2021). The Physical Therapy Approach to Female and Male Urinary Incontinence [PowerPoint Presentation]. Pelvic Health Solutions.
BROWSE ALL POSTS
